Hyperglycemia Definition

To a non-diabetic, the term hyperglycemia probably doesn't mean anything. But to a diabetic, it is a very important term. For these individuals, it means more than just high blood sugar: it means a serious condition that can be disastrous if it is not dealt with immediately.

Simply put, hyperglycemia occurs when there is too much sugar in the blood. This happens for many reasons. The body is not producing insulin at all, or the insulin being produced is insufficient for the body's needs. The diabetic has consumed far too much of the wrong foods. They are not exercising enough to burn the excess calories. Even stress or illness can initiate an episode.

Sooner or later, every diabetic is going to experience a hypoglycemic episode. It is a major complication of having diabetes that can affect individuals in different ways. The important part is being able to spot when it is occurring so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Signs that hyperglycemia is occurring includes the common diabetes symptoms of frequent thirst and urination. But it is also followed by feeling weak, difficulty concentrating, possible headache and blurred vision.

Treating this condition can be rather tricky. A normal remedy would involve exercising and drinking lots of water in an attempt to flush the excess sugar out of the body. But first, you have to determine if your urine has ketones in it. If they are present, it means that your body doesn't have enough insulin to convert the sugar into energy needs.

If ketones are present, exercising could actually make your sugar levels spike even higher, which would have detrimental consequences. That's why it is important to have your urine tested before taking drastic measures to bring sugar levels back down.